Regional transport in southern Italy has routes with a specific track gauge of 950 mm. For example, trains running on the ‘Italian metre gauge’ operate in Apulia, around Mount Etna in Sicily, in the Naples area, and in Sardinia.
To test rolling stock with this track gauge, Stadler built a dedicated narrow-gauge track in collaboration with Bahninfra AG and Müller Gleisbau. The track has been built in spring 2026 and extends between Hemishofen and Ramsen stations. It is almost four kilometres long and runs as a third rail within the existing standard-gauge track between the two stations. It is on this standard-track that Stadler’s FLIRT H2 hydrogen-powered train built for California completed its test runs. The idea of expanding the test track to include a narrow-gauge builds on this success.
World premiere starts test operations
The first vehicle to be tested on the new track is the world’s first narrow-gauge hydrogen train, which Stadler has manufactured for the Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) in Sardinia. Starting mid-October 2026, the vehicles and their systems will undergo tests between Hemishofen and Ramsen under real conditions to assess their performance and reliability.
Tests in Switzerland to ensure efficient commissioning in Italy
“As there are no narrow-gauge networks outside Italy with the track gauge typical of southern Italy, such rolling stock could previously only be tested on their future operating location.” explained Ansgar Brockmeyer, head of marketing & sales and deputy group CEO at Stadler. “Thanks to the new track, we can test the trains here in Switzerland and, given the proximity to our factory in Bussnang, optimise them quickly and efficiently. This significantly speeds up the subsequent commissioning on site in Italy. Both the customer and passengers benefit equally from this.”
Alessio Salvatore, project manager of the hydrogen train, said: “Following its arrival in Hemishofen, we are focusing on testing the hydrogen propulsion system. The train is being tested with varying levels of hydrogen in the tank and at different speeds. This will be followed by further tests relevant to type approval, including acceleration and braking behaviour. Every test successfully completed brings us one step closer to deploying the vehicle on the local route in Italy.”
"The upcoming delivery of the new hydrogen trains represents a decisive step forward for ARST, with vehicles arriving in Sardinia having already completed a crucial testing phase. This will allow us to promptly launch final trials on our network, advancing both our zero-emission mobility goals and our path toward energy self-sufficiency. It is a concrete operational milestone that confirms the effective collaboration established with Stadler.", concluded Carlo Poledrini, general director, ARST.
Over the next three years, the test track will play a key role in the commissioning of the hydrogen fleet that Stadler is manufacturing for the Italian regions of Sardinia, Calabria, and Sicily. A total of currently 21 vehicles will be tested here.
